October's news starts with thanking community as library dedicated

It has officially been one year since the library opened our doors to the community and so much has happened in that year. We have welcomed many returning and new patrons to the library. We have been able to host great programs, including author talks and music in our meeting room and fun crafts and movie nights for the kids and kids at heart.

We are looking forward to even more offerings this fall and winter. Be sure to stop by the library to pick up our fall events calendar or check out our website for more details. We have several big events coming up. On Nov. 2 we will host a seed swap from 3:30-5:30 p.m., including a special workshop hosted by Master Gardner Jenn Eddelman speaking about plant-based dyes at 4 p.m. This promises to be an informative event.

We are happy to welcome Sarah Rabel as the Library Foundation’s new director! Sarah and her family recently moved to Anacortes after living on Lopez Island for 15 years. No stranger to a close-knit community, she is thrilled to be joining the La Conner Swinomish Library and looks forward to connecting with library patrons, donors and the community as a whole.

Sarah’s professional background includes administrative and fundraising work for Lopez Island Home & Hospice Support, as well as event and volunteer coordination and freelance editing of fiction and nonfiction works. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys time with her husband, their 11-year-old and visits with their 19-year-old who is studying film in Chicago.

Sarah enjoys attending Burlington Lutheran Church with her parents and extended family, exploring the many trails and abundant natural beauty of the area and curling up with a cup of tea and a good book – currently, she is reading “The Lincoln Highway” by Amor Towles.

We would like to welcome Hattie O’Clock as our new library page. Many of you may have already met Hattie, who has been with the library as an intern for about six months but has recently transitioned to a new role as a library page. She lives in Anacortes. When she is not at the library she enjoys video editing and playing games. Hattie will also be hosting Tech Tuesdays every Tuesday from 12-2 p.m. Please stop by the circulation desk or call the library to sign up for a one-on-one appointment for help with simple technology issues. She is happy to help you!

Thank you to everyone who attended our dedication ceremony Oct. 14. What a special way for the community to come together to celebrate the new library and the people who made it possible. We are so grateful to our community for the support you show for the library. We would like to extend a special thank you to the Swinomish Canoe Family for blessing our building and to our speakers and many volunteers who made this day so wonderful.